Feds defend extradition treaty talks with UAE amid concerns

The federal government is defending its plan to start talks on an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates as civil society groups issue warnings over the country’s human-rights record. Canada and the UAE signed a free-trade deal last week when the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, met with Prime Minister Mark Carney during a visit to Ottawa.They also announced plans to start negotiations on an extradition treaty and a mutual legal assistance treaty.Amani Khalfan, a spokesperson for the social justice organization Inter Pares, asked what kind of message Canada would send to the world by signing extradition and defence treaties with the UAE, a country with a troubling human-rights record.Khalfan said the UAE’s record of unlawful and arbitrary detentions is “appalling.” Story continues below advertisement She cited the case of Sudanese advocate Mohammed Farouk Salman Mahmoud, who she said was imprisoned for over a year and a half in the UAE without charges.Authorities said he was under investigation for insulting the UAE head of state. Amnesty International said he was released on Aug. 22.The UAE has taken on increasing importance in global polit...